Lasting Pleasures vs. Fleeting Happiness

Lasting Pleasures vs. Fleeting Happiness CHRISTIAN INTELLECTUAL STIMULATION Look around you. It is evident everywhere. Humanity is in a “frantic search for happiness.” The pleasures people seek are physical, and physical pleasures are always short-lived, futile, and often have future consequences, which are many times more harmful than the enjoyment they first brought. Self-control, prudence, and recognition are prerequisites to…

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The Weight of Self

The Weight of Self People spend much time pursuing ambition, material possessions, and lusts of the flesh and of the sin nature, when infinite peace and joy are available to them every day. People allow peer pressure in the work place, social groups, and other relationships to keep them distracted and competing for temporary happiness and material possessions. Inordinate ambition…

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The Doctrine of Grace

The Doctrine of Grace MAN IS THE RECIPIENT AND BENEFICIARY OF GRACE BECAUSE OF CHRIST Second only to the Doctrine of the Deity of Christ, the most important study we will ever undertake is the Doctrine of Grace—God’s graciousness. We cannot even begin to know our Great God and Savior until we metabolize His grace. The word grace in the…

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Absolutely

Absolutely Commitment and faithfulness are moral virtues which help bind families together. The moral dimension in America has disintegrated to a serious moral disorder. Sex dominates the media, especially TV. To avoid the immoral sexual bombardment, my wife and I mainly watch sports (and even then only a few select games and teams, minus commercials because they too exploit sex),…

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Principle vs. Principle

Principle vs. Principle In the physical world, survival depends on the spiritual. Don’t ask what’s wrong with American morals, ethics, and responsibility. Ask where is the spiritual discernment in each American. America is in a battle for survival, a battle of principle against principle—principle against principalities. Christians must remain true to Christ and true to the calling in Christ—take their…

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Speaking of “Offensive”

Speaking of “Offensive” Why is the word “Gospel” offensive to people? Because the Gospel gives all the credit to Christ’s finished work on the Cross and thereby gives all the glory to God through His Son. Humanity cannot stand not getting any of the credit because each individual must abandon the concepts of human merit and human ego, and trust…

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Disagreement – Tolerance – Judgment

Disagreement – Tolerance – Judgment If disagreement did not exist, then tolerance would be unnecessary. Real differences exist between real people, therefore tolerance is a necessity to co-existence. Dialogue between persons of differing viewpoints requires respect, not agreement. Tolerance is best defined as we agree to disagree, with respect. The understanding by both parties that two differing views cannot be…

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A Flourishing Mental Life

A Flourishing Mental Life The tangled false self (embraced by most of us) struggles subconsciously with a myriad of mental issues. Perhaps from childhood struggles of pain, lack of affirmation, fears, anxieties, embarrassments, failure (real or imagined). The way we deal with the problem details of our thinking-reactions determines our lifestyle. What empties or fills our thinking-reactions may be true,…

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God’s Plan

God’s Plan Genesis 1:1 through 2:8 is like a target with concentric lines leading to a bullseye; a beginning point between man and God; a place where truth becomes reality and reality becomes false. God’s Plan centers around Christ, the Personification of Truth. Each facet of Scripture is designed as a directive, pointing to the bullseye—Christ. Humanity has a sin…

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Legalizing Grace is “Illegal”

Legalizing Grace is “Illegal” If you do not believe in Eternal Security, you are legalizing the Grace of God and that… is “illegal.” Just as you cannot work for salvation, you cannot work to keep yourself saved (Ephesians 2:8-9, Romans Chapter 8; Romans 11:5-6,33,36). God saved us through Christ and God keeps us saved through the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:35-39)….

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The Doctrine of the Trinity (An In-Depth Study)

The Doctrine of the Trinity Webmaster’s Note: A deeper understanding of both God and the Word comes not only from accurate Bible study materials and proper instruction, but also from you. When you take your time, meditate upon key points, and look up given verses for yourself, your walk with the Lord takes on a whole new meaning. We encourage…

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When Satan Applauds

When Satan Applauds By C. S. Craig Written To My Children March 29, 2001 — Revised June 12, 2001 (yet applicable to all). I guess I never really thought about or fully understood the implications of the phrase “we live in the devil’s world.” There are two worlds (realities): God’s world in Heaven—His dwelling place (1 Kings 8:30; Psalm 2:4;…

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The Doctrine of Worry

The Doctrine of Worry In certain parts of California, it can be a disaster of catastrophic proportion to the citrus crop if the temperature drops below 32°F. Therefore, the industry, in an effort to help reduce loss of crops, place thousands upon thousands of little pots in the citrus groves, which they light at night during freezing temperatures. These little…

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Struggles, Suffering, and Final Victory

Struggles, Suffering, and Final Victory When sick or injured, our instinctive fear is of dying. In poverty circumstances, it is natural to fear hunger and even exposure. Our flesh is weak and selfish. But the crown of life demands sacrifice of self–suffering while in the world and, through it all, keeping the faith no matter what. Human life is unique….

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